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Attendance – 23 members, 4 visitors. Lions Report – Bob Suter is home but had been in the hospital over Christmas. If you are ill or know a fellow Lion that is under the weather, please call Pat Bryan at 586-4535.

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Announcements – Ted Gonsiorowski announced District Cabinet Meeting/Convention February 24. Immediately following the cabinet meeting there will be a “convention” group convened to vote on 1-B & 1-K combining. Jay Hoeflinger is still selling Sight & Sound Sweepstakes tickets.

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Marvin Paulsen and Weldon Garrelts reported for the Low Vision Screening, which was attended by several of our members.

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Weldon said we donated $400 for help. They really appreciate the Lions Club support for lenses, glasses and doctor’s time.

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Rich King announced our Club will again maintain a water station for the Illinois Marathon. Walk for Sight will be June 9 at Mattoon. May 19/20 2013 is the State Convention.

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Program – Charlie Osborne introduced Bob Asmussen, Illinois football beat writer for the Champaign News-Gazette and IlliniHQ.com. He has covered the Illini Football team for 17 years. During that time, Illini have gone to 5 Bowls.

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Bob is back working full time again after recovering last year from a heart attack.

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He grew up in Nebraska and got used to consistent football, so Illinois is different. However, he really likes our stadium, the colonnades, the Red Grange "Galloping Ghost" statue, etc.

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He opened the floor to questions. "How do we find those recruits from all over the U.S.?" High School coach contacts bring students to the UI’s attention.

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"How does the closed practice affect you?" He considers it a disaster. He said Ron Turner opened it up and Ron Zook did for a while, but then closed practices.

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Tim Beckman has closed practice. Bob feels he gets to know the players better if practice if open.

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"How do they want to establish an Illinois identity?" Just win some games. We had two of the greatest football players, Dick Butkus and Red Grange, so we have a great reputation.

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"Who was the best coach to work with?" Lou Tepper. "Worst coach?" Ron Turner was tricky and wasn’t easy. Tim Beckman called Bob when he went into the hospital last year.

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"How do you put up with Loren Tate?“ Bob said he had slept in the same bed as Loren Tate. Sooooo, guess that means they get along.

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"Do coaches get paid for talking to the reporters at half-time?" No. They do it for the exposure.”

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Greeter: Herb Bail Mar 6 - Dr. Marsh Jones (Parkland) – The Rise and Fall of the British Empire Click here osborne@bankchampaign.com to email Charlie Osborne and let him know what you would like to see in a Lions Club program some time.osborne@bankchampaign.com Coming up Feb 27 – Nancy Kobel – Chanute Air Museum